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Instructor Class Description

Time Schedule:

Robert Crawford
TIAS 515
Tacoma Campus

Themes in the Interpretation of Culture

Analyzes selected themes in the study of modern culture, such as health and medicine, sexuality, consumption, television, advertising, film, literature, art, music, architecture, and social, or cultural history.

Class description

TIAS 515B: Course subtitle: Health and Medical Culture Instructor: Rob Crawford

The pursuit or protection of health has become a key arena of public action and public policy as well as a personal preoccupation, especially among the middle class. Moreover,health is a key word and a root metaphor in modern, secular cultures. Its meanings encompass physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. Medical discourse shapes and continually transforms the modern self--life, death, illness and danger. Medical and health practices also influence contemporary understandings of class, gender, race and sexuality. In short, this is a course on culture and ideology through an examination of health and medicine in modern and contemporary culture. Class discussion of readings and term paper.

Student learning goals

familiarity with several approaches to cultural theory and interpretaion

familiarity with critical approaches to understanding health as a meaningful social practice

exploration of sociocultural aspects of embodiment in modern and contemporary culture

familarity with aspects of medical discourse, particularly relevant to health promotion and risk

exploration of contemporary forms of anxiety in cultural context; and how anxieties about health intersect with other contemporary anxieties

explorations of aspects of modern and contemporary cultures through the metaphors and meanings of health

General method of instruction

Seminar discussion and instructor lecture.

Recommended preparation

graduate level course experience; although advanced undergraduates will be admitted to the course. No medical background needed.

Class assignments and grading

Grading based on seminar participation, critical analysis of the readings, and library research term paper.

Normal modes of assessment of student achievement on assignments


The information above is intended to be helpful in choosing courses. Because the instructor may further develop his/her plans for this course, its characteristics are subject to change without notice. In most cases, the official course syllabus will be distributed on the first day of class.
Last Update by Robert Crawford
Date: 03/07/2007